Are Confessions of Faith biblical? Should Churches use them?

[1689Dave]

That it didn't take 10 years to write the Westminster Confession of Faith, like you said.

How about the revisions? Including the American version? Why does this bother you so much? Have you ever read the creed?

 

[Mikey]

How about the revisions? Including the American version? Why does this bother you so much? Have you ever read the creed?

I'm just providing information.

 

[1689Dave]

I'm just providing information.

What about the revisions? The Baptist version? The American version? Do you know anything about the history of the creed?

 

[Mikey]

What about the revisions? The Baptist version? The American version? Do you know anything about the history of the creed?

You stated:

It took about 10 years of meetings of hundreds of theologians, including days off for prayer and fasting to pen the Westminster Confession. Even then the Baptists found slight room for improvement. How much sense does it make to overlook the creeds in favor of ignoring them?

You claimed that it took 10 years to pen the Westminster Confession. Not all the different Confessions that were based on or used the Westminster as a starting point.

Second I would like to see the break down of your working that all the revisions make up 10years. How long did it take to write the Savoy Declaration? The 2nd London Baptist Confession? The New Hampshire Confession? Abstract of Principles? etc etc.

Yes I know of some of the history of the Confessions. And all I did was point that it did not take 10years to write the Westminster.

 

[rlvaughn]

Some of you might find this five-part series interesting, The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History.

The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part I
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part II
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part III
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part IV
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part V

These were written by Steve Weaver, a Baptist pastor and historian.

 

[Mikey]

Some of you might find this five-part series interesting, The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History.

The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part I
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part II
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part III
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part IV
The Use of Confessions of Faith in Baptist History, Part V

These were written by Steve Weaver, a Baptist pastor and historian.

I've been listening to some of the Reformed Baptist Seminary lecture for free. There's a whole course on Creeds and Confessions. Reformed Baptist Seminary

Might be of interest to you.

 

[MB]

Reverting to personal attacks because I proved that you're talking nonsense. You hold to a statement of faith but you cannot comprehend that you do.

To say "I believe the whole bible" does not negate the use of confessions. When you actually articulate specifics about what you believe then you are confessing doctrines.

I don't hold a confession of faith. You asked if I found anything non-biblical in what you posted that is not my confession it was yours. The non sense is yours and you know it. You should never make a dishonest boast
MB

 

[Yeshua1]

I don't hold a confession of faith. You asked if I found anything non-biblical in what you posted that is not my confession it was yours. The non sense is yours and you know it. You should never make a dishonest boast
MB

Do you confess the truths in the Bible?

 

[Mikey]

I don't hold a confession of faith. You asked if I found anything non-biblical in what you posted that is not my confession it was yours. The non sense is yours and you know it. You should never make a dishonest boast
MB

Can you explain to me what you believe the bible teaches regarding who Jesus is?

 

[MB]

Do you confess the truths in the Bible?

Do you confess that Grace comes through faith.
MB

 

[MB]

Can you explain to me what you believe the bible teaches regarding who Jesus is?

never cast pearls to swine.
MB

 

[Mikey]

never cast pearls to swine.
MB

Well done you quoted part of a verse from scripture.

You're not going to proclaim who Jesus is? Odd.

Is the reason because to do so would mean you would have to confess what you believe therefore producing a confession? I think so, as will anyone who has followed this conversation.

 

[Salty]

Six Hour Warning
This thread will be closed sometime after 4 PM Pacific.

Just a reminder -- and that would be 7 PM EDT

 

[AustinC]

Do you confess that Grace comes through faith.
MB

No.

The Bible says that Grace saves and God gives faith to believe we are saved.

If grace came through faith, then a man's self-creates faith could be applauded and that person could boast about their faith.

But, let's let the Bible state it for us.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
~ Ephesians 2:4-9

MB, the Bible speaks. Do you hear what it is telling you?

 

[MB]

No.

The Bible says that Grace saves and God gives faith to believe we are saved.

wrong.
Prove it

If grace came through faith, then a man's self-creates faith could be applauded and that person could boast about their faith.

But, let's let the Bible state it for us.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
~ Ephesians 2:4-9

MB, the Bible speaks. Do you hear what it is telling you?

I do but, you apparently you do not.
Funny you deny it then you quote what scripture actually says. LOL underlined above
MB

 

[AustinC]

wrong.
Prove it

I do but, you apparently you do not.
Funny you deny it then you quote what scripture actually says. LOL underlined above
MB

LOL, The verses I quoted proved it. You have shown you have no desire to have the Bible direct your belief.

 

[MB]

LOL, The verses I quoted proved it. You have shown you have no desire to have the Bible direct your belief.

This is your bottom quote;
For by grace you have been saved through faith.
Oh well maybe you didn't read it that far.
MB

 

[AustinC]

This is your bottom quote;
For by grace you have been saved through faith.
Oh well maybe you didn't read it that far.
MB

You are clueless as that statement is not what YOU stated...

You said: "Grace comes through faith."

The Bible says: By grace you are saved through faith."

The Bible does not say what you proclaim. Read it. Comprehend it. Know you have twisted the truth.

 

[1689Dave]

You stated:


You claimed that it took 10 years to pen the Westminster Confession. Not all the different Confessions that were based on or used the Westminster as a starting point.

Second I would like to see the break down of your working that all the revisions make up 10years. How long did it take to write the Savoy Declaration? The 2nd London Baptist Confession? The New Hampshire Confession? Abstract of Principles? etc etc.

Yes I know of some of the history of the Confessions. And all I did was point that it did not take 10years to write the Westminster.

What strikes me is the precision you demand on a comment made off the top of my head. You miss the meaning of the work that went into the confession. And lay wait instead to take me in my words. Just as the Pharisees did Jesus. You want to prove me a liar instead of grasping the meaning that there is no other creed like it. Perhaps it offends you more than I do.

“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.” Matthew 22:15 (KJV 1900)

The assembly lasted officially until 1649, although it continued to meet occasionally until 1652. And those present certainly did not slack during that time. Over the course of the six years between 1643 and 1649, they met 1,163 times. Westminster Assembly | Simply Put

The Baptists gave it 3 revisions over the course of years. The American Presbyterians gave it another revision. How long do you think this took?

 

[Mikey]

What strikes me is the precision you demand on a comment made off the top of my head. You miss the meaning of the work that went into the confession. And lay wait instead to take me in my words. Just as the Pharisees did Jesus. You want to prove me a liar instead of grasping the meaning that there is no other creed like it. Perhaps it offends you more than I do.

“Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.” Matthew 22:15 (KJV 1900)

The assembly lasted officially until 1649, although it continued to meet occasionally until 1652. And those present certainly did not slack during that time. Over the course of the six years between 1643 and 1649, they met 1,163 times. Westminster Assembly | Simply Put

The Baptists gave it 3 revisions over the course of years. The American Presbyterians gave it another revision. How long do you think this took?

I never called you a liar. You made a mistake, it happens. I do not undertand why you have taken such offence to such a minor correction.

Certainly the Westminster Confession was well thought out and came about through much debate, discussion and prayer. And of course the Baptists improved upon it (2LBCF) also with much debate, discussion and prayer. Those involved obviously put a lot of effort and dedication into their work.